The Big Brother Ponies are a unique and memorable group within the My Little Pony Generation 1 lineup, designed to stand out from the traditionally softer and more whimsical designs of other ponies. Released during Year 5 (1986-1987), these ponies brought a fresh twist to the MLP universe, featuring more rugged, adventurous personalities and designs. Unlike most ponies, the Big Brothers were marketed as action-oriented and adventurous, appealing to a broader audience while still maintaining the charm and creativity the franchise is known for.
What makes the Big Brother Ponies particularly special is their ability to expand the imaginative worlds of MLP fans. They represented different aspects of adventure, exploration, and excitement, making them beloved by collectors and enthusiasts alike. With their distinctive designs and themes, the Big Brother Ponies continue to be a cherished part of the G1 lineup and a nostalgic favorite for those who grew up with them.
The Complete List of Big Brother Ponies
Each Big Brother Pony has a bold and vibrant design, with distinct color combinations and symbols that reflect their individual themes. From Tex‘s cowboy-inspired cactus symbol to Steamer‘s vintage train motif, these ponies brought specific personas to life, allowing fans to imagine them as sailors, athletes, truck drivers, and more. Their poses were also dynamic, showcasing a confident and energetic stance that added to their appeal.
The Big Brother Ponies of MLP Year 5
Here are the Big Brother Ponies from Year 5, the year Hasbro introduced this new line of toys:

My Little Pony G1 Big Brother Salty (Vintage)
Salty is a Big Brother Pony with a nautical theme and a rugged, adventurous vibe. His body is light blue, paired with deep blue hair that flows like ocean waves. His symbol is an anchor with a rope wrapped around it.
- Body Color: Light blue
- Hair Color: Dark blue
- Symbol: Anchor with rope
- Theme: Nautical

My Little Pony G1 Big Brother Tex (Vintage)
Tex is the ultimate cowboy pony, bringing Wild West flair to the Big Brother lineup. With his light tan body, brown hair, and signature cactus symbol, Tex embodies rugged charm.
- Body Color: Light tan
- Hair Color: Brown
- Symbol: Green cactus
- Theme: Cowboy/Western

My Little Pony G1 Big Brother Quarterback (Vintage)
Quarterback is a G1 Big Brother Pony with a sporty and competitive vibe. Known as “Score” in the UK, he’s all about football and team spirit. His design features a blue body with matching blue hair and a white streak.
- Pose: Quarterback Pose
- Body Color: Blue. Eye Color: Purple
- Hair Color: Blue with white streak in mane
- Symbol: Pink and white American football

My Little Pony G1 Big Brother Slugger (Vintage)
Slugger is a G1 Big Brother Pony with a passion for baseball, and he’s known as “First Base” in the UK. His sporty design features a unique pink-purple body, making him stand out among his Big Brother companions.
- Pose: Steamer Pose
- Body Color: Pink-purple
- Hair Color: White with pink streak in mane
- Symbol: Turquoise glove with baseball and bat
- Eye Color: Blue

My Little Pony G1 Big Brother Steamer (Vintage)
Steamer is a G1 Big Brother Pony with a love for trains and all things locomotives. Known as “Tracks” in the UK and by other names like “Trenecitos” in Spain and “Dampfi” in Germany, Steamer has a charming railway-inspired design.
- Pose: Steamer Pose
- Body Color: Pink
- Hair Color: Fading pink with green streak in mane
- Symbol: Purple and yellow train
- Eye Color: Yellow

My Little Pony G1 Big Brother 4-Speed (Vintage)
4-Speed is a G1 Big Brother Pony with a cool and rugged trucker vibe. Released in Year Five (1986-1987), he’s known as “Trucker” in the UK and “Viajero” in Spain, reflecting his theme of travel and transportation.
- Pose: Quarterback Pose
- Body Color: Pale blue
- Hair Color: Dark blue with fading pink streak in mane
- Symbol: Pink and purple truck
- Eye Color: Purple
The Big Brother Ponies of MLP Year 6
During Hasbro’s My Little Pony Year 6, the company released nine new ponies. Each of them had a distinctive personality and unique symbol that reflected their passions, from exploring uncharted lands to braving the elements. With their bright colors, dynamic designs, and signature bandanas, the Year 6 Big Brother Ponies weren’t just strong—they were loyal, protective, and always ready to lend a helping hoof!

My Little Pony G1 Big Brother Barnacle (Vintage)
Barnacle is a daring and adventurous pony with the heart of a true explorer. His symbol is a red treasure chest overflowing with gold coins, reflecting his love for adventure, hidden riches, and the thrill of discovery.
- Blue Earth Pony with an orange and yellow mane.
- Symbol is a red treasure chest filled with gold coins.
- Loves treasure hunting, storytelling, and wild adventures.
- Brave, fun-loving, and always looking out for his friends.

My Little Pony G1 Big Brother Wigwam (Vintage)
Wigwam is a strong, dependable Big Brother Pony who is always ready for a new adventure. With his bold orange coat and striking white mane with a blue streak, he stands out as a leader and protector in Ponyland.
- Orange Big Brother Pony with a white and blue mane.
- Symbol features teepees, a crescent moon, a star, and zigzag designs.
- Loves exploring, camping, and sharing stories.
- Loyal, brave, and always ready to help his friends.

My Little Pony G1 Big Brother Chief (Vintage)
Chief is a brave and dependable Big Brother Pony, always ready to rush in and save the day. With his strong white coat and a bold blue mane streaked with yellow, he has the look of a true hero.
- White Big Brother Pony with a blue and yellow mane.
- Symbol is a red fire hose and a yellow ladder.
- Loves action, adventure, and helping others.
- Brave, energetic, and always ready to save the day.
The Mountain Boy Ponies (European Exclusives)
Six of the Year 6 Big Brother ponies were only available in Europe under the collection name “Mountain Boy Ponies.” These were:

My Little Pony G1 Big Brother Fireball (Vintage)
Fireball stands out with his bright pink coat and deep purple mane accented by a yellow streak. His symbol is a yellow sun with orange rays, reflecting his fiery and energetic personality.
- Bright pink Mountain Boy Pony with a deep purple and yellow mane.
- Symbol is a yellow sun with orange rays, representing his fiery personality.
- Loves adventure, competition, and leading his friends on exciting quests.
- Loyal, energetic, and always ready to brighten someone’s day.

My Little Pony G1 Big Brother Tornado (Vintage)
Tornado is a whirlwind of excitement, always moving fast and stirring up adventure wherever he goes. His blue body and white mane with a blue streak give him a crisp, cool appearance.
- Blue Mountain Boy Pony with a white and blue mane.
- Symbol is a white tornado, reflecting his fast-paced nature.
- Loves racing, chasing the wind, and embracing adventure.
- High-energy but deeply loyal, always ready for a challenge.

My Little Pony G1 Big Brother Sunburst (Vintage)
Sunburst is as bright and cheerful as his name suggests, always bringing warmth and positivity to those around him. With his yellow body and red mane streaked with yellow, he radiates the energy of a sunny day.
- Yellow Mountain Boy Pony with a red and yellow mane.
- Symbol is a red sun with a white cloud, reflecting his optimism.
- Loves nature, sunshine, and sharing happiness with his friends.
- Cheerful, warm-hearted, and always looking on the bright side.

My Little Pony G1 Big Brother Lightning (Vintage)
Lightning is a true force of nature—powerful and fast. He has an orange body and a yellow mane streaked with white, making him look like a bolt of energy, and his symbol is a cloud with a lightning bolt.
- Orange Mountain Boy Pony with a yellow and white mane.
- Symbol is a white cloud with a yellow lightning bolt, representing his energy.
- Loves speed, competition, and the thrill of a challenge.
- Determined, adventurous, and always full of electricity.

My Little Pony G1 Big Brother Ice Crystal (Vintage)
Ice Crystal is a calm, cool, and collected pony who brings a sense of peace wherever he goes. His light green coat and white mane streaked with green make him look as crisp and refreshing as freshly fallen snow.
- Light green Mountain Boy Pony with a white and green mane.
- Symbol is a cluster of white snowflakes, representing his love of winter.
- Loves peaceful moments, winter activities, and thoughtful conversations.
- Quiet, wise, and a great friend to have in any season.

My Little Pony G1 Big Brother Thundercloud (Vintage)
Thundercloud is a deep thinker, always gazing at the sky and wondering what the next storm will bring. His coat is lavender coat and his hair pink, streaked with blue. His symbol is a white cloud with raindrops.
- Lavender Mountain Boy Pony with a pink and blue mane.
- Symbol is a white cloud with raindrops, representing his introspection.
- Loves rainy days, deep conversations, and finding beauty in storms.
- Quiet, thoughtful, and always offering wisdom to his friends.
Find Second-Hand Big Brother Little Ponies
My Little Pony G1 Essentials
If you want to learn more about ponies and how to restore them, here are two resources that can help. The first is the unofficial MLP G1 guide (which has photos, prices, etc). The second is my own book, Restoring My Little Pony!
Restoring My Little Pony is the result of almost three years of restoring and customizing My Little Pony toys for my channel RetroGeek Crafts. The book contains 86 pages full of detailed step-by-step guides, project features, material and technique comparisons, and much more. The book is mostly focused on My Little Pony Generation 1 (MLP G1). However, these techniques can be applied to all other generations, including MLP G2, G3, G4, and even G5.
This unofficial MLP guide to the first generation of My Little Pony (known as G1) was created by Summer Hayes. The book provides everything a collector needs to identify G1 ponies and their accessories, and understand their value. The guide contains large, full color photos of every pony, playset and accessory released in the US (and in some cases in other countries) in the 1980s and 1990s.
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